RAAF task group ready for Iraq combat
(L-R) Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Group Captain Steve Roberton, chief Air Marshal Mark Binskin and Wing Commander Glen Braz stand before the RAAF's first new Boeing Super Hornet at the rollout ceremony at the Boeing factory in St Louis, Missouri, United States, Wednesday, July 9, 2009. (AAP) AAP
The commander of Australia's Air Task Group says his team is ready to go to war against Islamic State militants when the federal government gives the word.
RAAF Air Commodore Steve Roberton said they had conducted initial training flights to practise co-ordination and communication with regional nations and coalition partners.
That's a key part of training and force preparation ahead of any government decision.
"The initial flights are essential for us," Commodore Roberton said in an interview distributed by defence.
"There's a few different reasons for them. One is to ensure that we have bed down properly, to getting ready to go should the government make that decision to commence operations.
"We have managed to deploy the largest air task group since Vietnam. We have gotten over here within days and we are ready for combat operations."
F/A-18F Super Hornets, an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft and KC-30A airborne refueller all conducted preliminary flights from Australia's Middle East base on Sunday with training missions continuing this week.
Defence chief Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said Australia was planning and coordinating operations of the Air Task Group with international partners.
He said this task group, which comprises six Super Hornets plus the Wedgetail and KC-30A was well-suited to operating with coalition aircraft.
"They will significantly enhance the ability of Iraqi security forces to strike at ISIL terrorist elements,'" he said in a statement.
All aircraft in the Air Task Group are conducting their first ever combat deployments.
The Super Hornets can carry out precision strikes against IS ground units and supply lines in support of Iraqi and Kurdish forces.
The Wedgetail, regarded as the most advanced aircraft of its type in the world, can coordinate movement of coalition aircraft in what's likely to be very crowded airspace over the battlefield.
Australia's tanker aircraft will contribute to the air campaign by refuelling coalition aircraft, allowing extended missions.
A 200-strong ground force, including special forces, will advise security forces inside Iraq.
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